In reply to Enty:
I did consider that option for the Audax/sportive bike I've just ordered (a Van Nicholas, can't wait
), but for the pace I ride on really long distance rides, I find that, with a compact, I'm incessantly changing between chainrings or using poor chain lines. With a triple, the 39 middle ring does me for 80-90% of stuff, with the big ring for when I'm trying a bit harder and the granny ring for steeper stuff or when I'm proper knackered. It also means that I can keep a relatively close ratio at the back which I like to have as I can be fussy about my cadence.
Loads of people get on well with them though, so maybe I'll try it out one day.
The only real downside to a triple is that they don't look as cool! The extra weight doesn't.bother me too much on a bike for that kind of purpose.